flaming pressure treated lumber?

[drunkcat]

I am planning a back yard project. A designer I am working with mentioned he had seen some neat effects from people flaming pressure treated lumber. I gave it a try today on a piece of scrap with a propane torch and it is pretty nice. The flaming causes a glossy reddish-purple color.

I have read all over the internet that we should not burn pressure treated lumber. Most (all?) of this information seems to refer to the "old" (pre-2002) formulations that included arsenate (CCA) which could be released in the ash. My question: is it safe to burn the modern formulations of pressure treated lumber?

Thanks!
Scott

[crokett]

I dunno. I wouldn't do it. I know it is safe not to. I suppose you could do this outside, wear a respirator and set up a fan to blow away all the smoke.

[cabinetman]

I am planning a back yard project. A designer I am working with mentioned he had seen some neat effects from people flaming pressure treated lumber. I gave it a try today on a piece of scrap with a propane torch and it is pretty nice. The flaming causes a glossy reddish-purple color.

I have read all over the internet that we should not burn pressure treated lumber. Most (all?) of this information seems to refer to the "old" (pre-2002) formulations that included arsenate (CCA) which could be released in the ash. My question: is it safe to burn the modern formulations of pressure treated lumber?

Thanks!
Scott

Since you're not incinerating the wood to a combustible state, and you were in a well ventilated area, wearing a respirator, you shouldn't have a problem with that treatment.
.

[docrowan]

I don't see a problem with it. No different in my mind than sweating copper pipe. The preservative used now is ACQ, Ammonium Copper Quartenary, with a much higher copper content than the old CCA, Copper Chromium Arsenate. The higher copper content required the production of much more corrosion resistant fasteners, but it keeps the ACQ as effective as the old CCA even though they replaced the arsenic.